Dueling figure toys

ABSTRACT

An amusement device including two standing toy figures each of which includes a torso portion supported on non-movable legs, two simulated arm members pivoted to the torso portion, an elastic inflatable balloon-like head portion, and a hat or helmet portion supported on the head. The torso portion includes a horizontally slidably mounted breast plate connected to a check valve such that when the breast plate is depressed the valve will be opened and release the pressurized air in the balloon-like head portion allowing it to deflate and thereby causing the helmet or hat portion to fall to the floor. One of the pivoted arm members includes a trigger actuated striking element in the shape of a sword for striking an opponent&#39;&#39;s breast plate and thereby causing the figure&#39;&#39;s head to deflate. The other pivoted arm member supports a shield such that a player may attempt to block the striking element of his opponent&#39;&#39;s figure toy. The device also includes a bellows-type air pump for inflating the head portion after it has been deflated.

United States Patent 1 1 Morrison [4 Nov. 19, 1974 DUELING FIGURE TOYS [75] Inventor: Howard J. Morrison, Deerfield, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, lll.

[22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 406,040

[52] US. Cl. 46/142, 46/148 [51] Int. Cl A63h 13/06 [58] Field of Search 46/87, 88, 142, 148

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1911 Welch 1,781,307 11/1930 Veronda. 46/142 1,799,735 4/1931 Crowell 46/142 2,716,840 9/1955 Armstrong 46/142 [57] ABSTRACT An amusement device including two standing toy figures each of which includes a torso portion supported on non-movable legs, two simulated arm members pivoted to the torso portion, an elastic inflatable balloonlike head portion, and a hat or helmet portion supported on the head. The torso portion includes a horizontally slidably mounted breast plate connected to a check valve such that when the breast plate is depressed the valve will be opened and release the pressurized air in the balloon-like head portion allowing it to deflate and thereby causing the helmet or hat portion to fall to the floor. One of the pivoted arm members includes a trigger actuated striking element in the shape of a sword for striking an opponents breast plate and thereby causing the flgures head to deflate. The other pivoted arm member supports a shield such that a player may attempt to block the striking element of his opponents figure toy. The device also includes a bellows-type air pump for inflating the head portion after it has been deflated.

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SHEEHOF2 PATENTEL, KB! I SIBH I IDUELING FIGURE TOYS I BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to amusement devices and particularly to a dueling game involving physical activity of the players in manipulating figure toys.

Competitive amusement devices which require physical activity on the part of the players have long been popular, particularly with children where there is a constant need for the expending of energy. The present invention provides such an amusement device wherein each player manipulates a figure toy for duelingwith an opposing players figure, toy. Each figure toy has one movable arm portion having a spring biased striking element with which to strike the toy figure of the opposing player in a designated area by pulling a trigger on his own figure toy. Each figure toy also is provided with a second movable arm portion supporting a shieldwith which the player may attempt to block offensive striking blows of the opponents toy figure. I

It is, therefore, a primary object of the invention to provide a new and amusing dueling game wherein opposing players manipulate fighting figure toys to provide movement and striking action of the fighters.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and amusing dueling game wherein each fighting figure toy has an inflatable balloon-type head and whereupon a fighters head is caused to deflate in response to being hit in a particular manner, signaling a successful attack by the opponent.

Other features, objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description as illustrated in the acompanying drawings.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out this invention includes the provision of two figure toys, each of which includes a torso portion supported on non-movable legs, two arms with movable portions, one serving as a striking implement and the other serving as a shielding device, and an inflatable elastic, balloon-like head supporting a hat or helmet thereon. A slidably supported breast plate is provided on the torso portion of each figure toy such that when a player causes his figure toy to strike an opposing players figure toy on the breast plate, the breast plate slides in wardly and causes a valve to open. The opened valve allows the air to escape from the balloon-like head and thereby causes the helmet portion to fall to the floor. The device also includes a bellows-type air pump to reinflate the balloon-like head portion of a figure toy after it has been deflated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS shown on an enlarged scale, with parts broken away:

and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the striking element attachment. shown on an enlarged scale. with parts broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, dueling devices in the form of figure toys, generally designated 10. are provided. Each figure simulates a fighting soldier such as a gladiator, and includes a body having a torso portion 12 formed integrally with ground supportable legs a the torso portion 12 and a movable arm portion 24 pivotally connected to the arm portion 22 by means of a pin 26; The movable arm position 24 has a handle portion 24a for grasping by a players hand. The movable arm portion 24, shown on the left in FIGS. 2 and 4, includes a trigger 28 which is secured by a nut 28a (FIG. 5) to 'a connecting rod 29. Rod 29 is connected by means of a pin 30 to a pivotally mounted hand 32. A spring 33 biases the trigger28 in a retracted position. A pin 34 pivotallysupports the hand 32 in the movable arm portion 24 (See FIG. 7). The hand 32 is provided with a hole 36 for frictionally receiving a stud 38 on the base of the striking element 40. The striking element 40 is in the form of a simulated sword with the stud 38 simulating the handle therefor.

By pulling rearwardly on the trigger 28 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 4), a player causes the hand 32 and the striking element 40 to rotate clockwise around the pin support 34 in the direction of arrow B. This striking motion is utilized by a player to cause the striking element 40 to hit the opposing player's figure or playing piece in a target area, generally designated 42 (FIG. 4), as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Another movable arm portion 25, as shown on the right in FIG. 4, is pivotally mounted on a pin 27 and carries a shield 44 mounted on the forwardmost end of the movable arm portion 25.The movable arm portion 25 has a handle portion 25a for grasping by a player. By rotating the movable arm portion 25 about the pin 27 a player may utilize his shield 44 to prevent an opposing players striking element 40 from hitting the target area 42 of his own playing piece.

The target area 42 of each figure toy includes a horizontally slidably mounted breast plate 50 which is supported by an extended flange portion 52 which extends through and to the rear of the torso portion 12 of the figure toy l0. Flange portion 52 is slidably supported by two ribs 54 (See FIG. 2) which are integrally formed with the torso portion 12. An additional, vertical rib 56 on the breast plate 50 contacts and rotates a valve stem member 58 (See FIG. 6) when the breast plate 50 is forced inwardly. The extended flange portion 52 is proon the rear portion of the flange 52 for manually returning the breast plate 50 to its forward position.

The check valve 62 includes a rubber seal 66 mounted in the center of the vertical portion of an L- shaped air flow tube 68. The rubber seal 66 has a small hole 70 in the center thereof which is closed by a small weighted ball 72 which is held in position by gravitational forces. A guide rib 74 and a horizontal protrusion 76 are provided on the inside of the air flow tube 68 to preventthe steel ball 72 from escaping the immediate area of the rubber seal 66. The air flow tube extends upward past the valve 62 and is sported by a rib 78 (F IGS. 2 and 3) which is formed as part of the torso 12. The elastic balloon-type head portion 18 is fitted on a collar 84 which slides onto the uppermost portion of the air flow tube 68. The lower portion of the air flow tube 68 is formed at a right angle and protrudes directly out of the rear of the torso portion 12.

The valve stem member 58 is rotatably mounted on the air flow tube 68 by means of a pin 86 which extends through an ear 88 on the air flow tube 68. As the breast plate 50 is depressed in the direction of arrow C (HO. 6), the rib 56 contacts the valve stem 58 and causes the valve stem to rotate counterclockwise in the direction of arrow D (FIG. 6) and thus causes a pin 90 on an end of the valve stem 58 to lift the ball 72 from its normal closed position andthereby releases the pressurized air in the balloon head portion 18. To refill the elastic head portion 18 a small bellows-type pump 94 is provided, including a hose 96 which is adapted to fit over the lower, outer end portion of the air flow tube 68. As the pump 94 is operated the air pressure entering the air flow tube will lift the steel ball 72 and refill the head portion.

A plurality of the hats or helmets 20 are provided to give the figure toys different appearances. The helmets include a semi-spherical portion 100 which fits onto the elastic balloon-type head 18. Also attached to the helmet are a pair of eyes 102 and a nose 104. Another variation of the helmet includes a moustache 106 (at the left in FIG. 1).

As the figure toy is struck on the breast plate 50, the plate slides inwardly and allows the head portion to deflate which thereby causes the helmet portion 20 to fall to the floor signaling a successful attack by the opponent.

While the figure toys of this invention have been described in connection with a specific embodiment, it is contemplated that various modifications and variations will occur to those familiar with the art without departing from the principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising:

a torso having a portion thereof defining a target area;

a physically collapsible head mounted on said torso;

at least a first arm mounted on said torso including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure; and

means operatively associated between said target area and said headfor collapsing said head in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said striking element is mounted on said arm for movement between a normally retracted position close to the torso and a striking position away from the torso. said arm includ ing a hand manipulatable trigger for moving said striking element from said retracted to said striking position.

3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein each figure toy has a second arm having a shield associated therewith for blocking the striking element of another figure toy.

4. The device ofclaim 3 wherein said first arm is pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto whereby the first arm of one figure toy can be manipulated to place the striking element in a position to strike the target area of the other figure toy without being blocked by the shield of said other figure toy, and said second arm is pivotally mounted on the torso whereby the second arm of one figure toy can be manipulated to place the shield in a blocking position with respect to the striking element of another figure toy.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the torso portion defining said target area is mounted against said collapsing means, whereby said torso portion moves when struck by the striking element of another figure toy. said head collapsing in response to the movement of said torso portion.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said head is a fluid filled collapsible, enclosure and said collapsing means includes fluid releasing means for normally holding the fluid within said enclosure and releasing the fluid when said torso portion is struck.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said fluid releasing means includes a valve secured to said enclosure in a normally closed state wherein the fluid cannot escape from the enclosure and a movable valve element operably associated between said torso portion and said valve for changing the valve from a closed state to an open state in response to movement of said target area wherein the fluid is allowed to escape from said enclosure so that it collapses.

8. A dueling-type amusement device including. in combination, at least a pair of figure toys. each figure toy comprising:

i a torso having a movable breast plate defining'a target area;

an elastic air-filled head mounted on said torso;

a first arm pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto including a striking element mounted for movement on said first arm between a normally retracted position close to the torso and a striking position away from the torso and a hand manipulatable trigger for moving said striking element from the retracted to the striking position for striking the breast plate of the opposing figure toy;

a second arm pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto including a shield forblocking the striking element of an opposing figure toy; and

valve means operably associated with the breast plate for normally holding the air within the elastic head i and releasing the air therefrom when the breast plate is struck.

9. The device of claim 8 including an L-shaped conduit having a vertical leg with its end in fluid communication with the head and including said valve means thereon and an opening through which said valve stem is received; and a horizontal leg extending to the exterior of the torso for refilling the head with air.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said valve means includes a valve seat; a ball member adapted to fit onto said seat for preventing air from escaping from the head; and a movable valve element associated with said breast plate for moving the ball away from the seal allowing the air to escape from the head when the breast plate is struck and moved.

11. The device of claim 10 including a pump adapted for engagement and fluid communication with the horizontal leg of the L-shaped member for inflating the balloon.

12. The device of claim 8 including a helmet which normally is positioned on the inflated elastic head and which is adapted to fall off of the head when the head deflates.

13. The device of claim 8 wherein each arm has a handle portion for grasping for manual manipulation of the arms. v

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said striking element is pivotally mounted on the first arm and is operably connected to said trigger, said striking element being spring biased to its retracted position so that it will move from its striking position to its retracted position after actuation by the trigger.

15. The device of claim 8 wherein said head is in the form of a balloon.

16. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising:

a torso having a portion thereof defining a target area;

a physically collapsible appendage mounted on said torso remote from said target area for collapsing movement relative to the torso;

at least a first arm mounted on said torso including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure; and

means operatively associated between said target area and said collapsible appendage for collapsing said appendage in relation to said torso portion in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.

17. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys. each figure toy comprising: I I I a figure body having a torso, at least one appendage.

and a torso portion defining a target area;

a physically collapsible portion of said figure body for collapsing movement relative to the remainder of the figure body;

at least a first arm mounted on the figure body including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure: and

means for collapsing said collapsible portion in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said collapsible portion is an elastic air-filled member which is collapsed by the release of air therein in response to a striking blow being delivered to the respective target 

1. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising: a torso having a portion thereof defining a target area; a physically collapsible head mounted on said torso; at least a first arm mounted on said torso including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure; and means operatively associated between said target area and said head for collapsing said head in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said striking element is mounted on said arm for movement between a normally retracted position close to the torso and a striking position away from the torso, said arm including a hand manipulatable trigger for moving said striking element from said retracted to said striking position.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein each figure toy has a second arm having a shield associated therewith for blocking the striking element of another figure toy.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first arm is pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto whereby the first arm of one figure toy can be manipulated to place the striking element in a position to strike the target area Of the other figure toy without being blocked by the shield of said other figure toy, and said second arm is pivotally mounted on the torso whereby the second arm of one figure toy can be manipulated to place the shield in a blocking position with respect to the striking element of another figure toy.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the torso portion defining said target area is mounted against said collapsing means, whereby said torso portion moves when struck by the striking element of another figure toy, said head collapsing in response to the movement of said torso portion.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said head is a fluid filled collapsible enclosure and said collapsing means includes fluid releasing means for normally holding the fluid within said enclosure and releasing the fluid when said torso portion is struck.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said fluid releasing means includes a valve secured to said enclosure in a normally closed state wherein the fluid cannot escape from the enclosure and a movable valve element operably associated between said torso portion and said valve for changing the valve from a closed state to an open state in response to movement of said target area wherein the fluid is allowed to escape from said enclosure so that it collapses.
 8. A dueling-type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising: a torso having a movable breast plate defining a target area; an elastic air-filled head mounted on said torso; a first arm pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto including a striking element mounted for movement on said first arm between a normally retracted position close to the torso and a striking position away from the torso and a hand manipulatable trigger for moving said striking element from the retracted to the striking position for striking the breast plate of the opposing figure toy; a second arm pivotally mounted on the torso for up and down movement relative thereto including a shield for blocking the striking element of an opposing figure toy; and valve means operably associated with the breast plate for normally holding the air within the elastic head and releasing the air therefrom when the breast plate is struck.
 9. The device of claim 8 including an L-shaped conduit having a vertical leg with its end in fluid communication with the head and including said valve means thereon and an opening through which said valve stem is received; and a horizontal leg extending to the exterior of the torso for refilling the head with air.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said valve means includes a valve seat; a ball member adapted to fit onto said seat for preventing air from escaping from the head; and a movable valve element associated with said breast plate for moving the ball away from the seal allowing the air to escape from the head when the breast plate is struck and moved.
 11. The device of claim 10 including a pump adapted for engagement and fluid communication with the horizontal leg of the L-shaped member for inflating the balloon.
 12. The device of claim 8 including a helmet which normally is positioned on the inflated elastic head and which is adapted to fall off of the head when the head deflates.
 13. The device of claim 8 wherein each arm has a handle portion for grasping for manual manipulation of the arms.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said striking element is pivotally mounted on the first arm and is operably connected to said trigger, said striking element being spring biased to its retracted position so that it will move from its striking position to its retracted position after actuation by the trigger.
 15. The device of claim 8 wherein said head is in the form of a balloon.
 16. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising: a torso having a portion thereof defining a Target area; a physically collapsible appendage mounted on said torso remote from said target area for collapsing movement relative to the torso; at least a first arm mounted on said torso including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure; and means operatively associated between said target area and said collapsible appendage for collapsing said appendage in relation to said torso portion in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.
 17. A dueling type amusement device including, in combination, at least a pair of figure toys, each figure toy comprising: a figure body having a torso, at least one appendage, and a torso portion defining a target area; a physically collapsible portion of said figure body for collapsing movement relative to the remainder of the figure body; at least a first arm mounted on the figure body including a selectively actuatable striking element for striking the target area of an opposing figure; and means for collapsing said collapsible portion in response to a striking blow being delivered to the target area of that figure toy by the striking element of another figure toy.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein said collapsible portion is an elastic air-filled member which is collapsed by the release of air therein in response to a striking blow being delivered to the respective target area. 